GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE – Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod Blagojevich and Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke today unveiled the Illinois Livestock Development Initiative as part of the Agriculture Legislative Day breakfast on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. This initiative, which was developed with the help of various industry groups, is designed to encourage livestock producers in Illinois to start new or expand existing businesses through a number of financial and regulatory incentives.

See the entire press release at http://www.agr.state.il.us/newsrels/r0315051.html.

INITIAL OK GIVEN FOR HOG PLANT REZONING – Illinois

FREEPORT -- The Stephenson County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-1 Thursday night to approve a zoning change that could permit the construction of a proposed industrial hog slaughterhouse east of Freeport.

The rezoning ordinance goes to the Stephenson County Board at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Rockford residents living near the proposed site were concerned that the plant would generate offensive smells and noise.

In announcing his plans to take his business elsewhere, Trim-Rite President James Jendruczek said the critics should "put down their shovels, pitchforks and burning torches and stop chasing the monster around the castle."

For more information please visit http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050304/BUSINESS05/503040324&SearchID=73201337233708.

IOWA GOES DUTCH- Iowa

Last month, Iowa took a huge step toward becoming the promised land for several thousand Dutch dairy farmers like ten Hoeve who are thinking about selling their cows and farms in the Netherlands and milking elsewhere.

After a three-year effort, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services granted special immigration status to 77 rural Iowa counties through the Employment Based Visa program, also known as EB5. The Iowa counties qualified for the program because they are considered rural and have lagged urban counties' income and population growth.

Being granted the EB5 designation will make it possible for Dutch emigrants to buy farmland in those 77 counties and establish a dairy farm if they invest between $500,000 and $1 million and employ, either directly or indirectly, 10 other people.

If they meet the investment threshold in two years, they will be eligible for permanent legal resident status and, eventually, U.S. citizenship after five years.

Twelve counties in eastern South Dakota have received a similar designation, said Chris Bentley, a spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

More information located at http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200550228003.